BM in Performance - Jazz Studies

This degree concentration is designed as foundation studies for those who wish to prepare for careers in jazz or commercial music performance and/or jazz instruction and those who plan to pursue graduate work in jazz studies. This program aims to instill a thorough understanding of this unique American art form and its relationship to contemporary society. Applied music, jazz improvisation, jazz arranging, jazz history, and jazz ensembles are emphasized. A basic understanding of the standards and performance opportunities for professional performance leads the student to realistic expectations for a career as a performer or teacher.

Students in the jazz concentration will divide their 24 credit hours of applied music equally between classical applied studies and jazz applied studies by taking either a 2-credit or a 1-credit lesson in each area every semester. Jazz students must take a jazz jury each semester and a classical jury during the spring semester. They are expected to pass a level 3 jury in each area prior to giving their senior recital.

Students in the jazz concentration must satisfactorily complete a short recital in the junior year and full recital in the senior year. The junior recital should consist of 25 minutes of jazz repertoire, and the senior recital should consist of 25 minutes of jazz repertoire and 25 minutes of classical repertoire. The jazz repertoire shall demonstrate the student's skills at improvisation, composition, and arranging, and should be chosen under the guidance of their applied jazz instructor.

Ensembles 10 credits

Major Ensemble, non-Jazz (4 semesters)

2

University Chorale, Chamber Singers, Concert Band

or Symphony Orchestra

Large Jazz Ensemble (8 semesters)

4

Chamber Jazz Ensemble (8 semesters)

4

Students should take a minimum of .5 credit of the appropriate section of MUS 406 Chamber Music - Jazz during each of their first two academic years. Students who are not selected for MUS 407 Jazz Ensemble may substitute additional credits of MUS 406 Chamber Music - Jazz with permission of the director of jazz studies. Guitarists and pianists may fulfill the Major Ensemble requirement by taking MUS 452 Accompanying or any small ensemble outside the jazz idiom.

Admission to the jazz degree concentration in music is based on the following criteria:

Performance audition on the applicant's major instrument. For most instruments, one selection should be from the jazz idiom and one from the classical genre. While performing jazz selections, the candidate should demonstrate their jazz improvisation abilities.

Tests of aural comprehension, rhythmic recitation, and sight singing administered individually by a member of the staff.

A diagnostic written test of music fundamentals, including intervals, scales, chords, and key signatures.